For Our Parents
Transportation is one of the most important departments in every school district. Training, maintenance and other aspects of safely operating a school bus fleet is a huge responsibility. We, at Transportation, run the buses with your child’s safety as our number one priority. We transport over 3,700 students on our buses each day. That is nearly one student for every mile traveled.
The safety and welfare of each student is always considered when boarding, riding and departing the bus. The bus driver must be constantly aware at each bus stop, while driving, when monitoring traffic and while watching the students. To keep your children safe we require our bus drivers to enforce the bus rules. Sometimes when enforcing the rules it is necessary to suspend a child’s bus privileges. This is usually a result of the child not following the instructions of the bus driver or of a child breaking the rules after being warned to stop.
The safety and welfare of each student is always considered when boarding, riding and departing the bus. The bus driver must be constantly aware at each bus stop, while driving, when monitoring traffic and while watching the students. To keep your children safe we require our bus drivers to enforce the bus rules. Sometimes when enforcing the rules it is necessary to suspend a child’s bus privileges. This is usually a result of the child not following the instructions of the bus driver or of a child breaking the rules after being warned to stop.
Communication
We are all responsible for the safety of the children who ride the school buses. Please take some time to be sure that your children understand the rules as well as the consequences of not following them. It is very important. Every child has the right to ride a bus free from being bullied, hit or harassed. Ask your children to help identify and report inappropriate behavior to the bus driver. If they are afraid, let them call the driver at home, send a note or tell the driver when no one else can hear. Bus drivers can not always see everything that happens on the school bus.
Parents, please talk to the driver. Remember, there are always at least 2 sides to every story. If you have a concern, the driver will be glad to assist you. We encourage the drivers to communicate with the parents. Please keep in mind that the driver will take care of any problems that arise as soon as possible. In most cases, it will either be that evening or the following day before anything can be done. Also, please keep the driver informed of any changes of your contact information. Thank you!
Step by Step Procedure for Students Using the Bus
Waiting on the Bus
If your child is new to riding the bus, or if you're not sure he knows the safety rules, walk him through the steps. Also, explain what's expected of him as he rides the bus.
* Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay.
* Stand 10 feet from the road, 5 giant steps.
* Be at the stop 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
On The Bus
* Remain seated at all times.
* Do not throw objects.
* Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
* Keep heads and hands inside the bus.
Loading/Unloading the Bus
* Use the handrail to avoid falls.
* Remove loose drawstrings or ties on clothing and backpacks.
* Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before moving.
* Wait for drivers signal before crossing in front of bus.
* Stay out of the Danger Zone, 10 feet from bus.
Drawstring Dangers
Across the United States, children are being injured or killed when their clothing or accessories are caught in their school bus's handrail or door as they exit the school bus. As a result, they may fall and be violently dragged by the bus and run over by the rear wheels.
The most common piece of clothing that can be snagged on the handrail is a jacket with a drawstring at the waist. These drawstrings commonly have a large bobble or knot at the ends that can become lodged in the handrail or the door. However, other articles of clothing such as scarves, long straps on backpacks, or dangling key chains can also be snagged on the handrail or door.
What parents can do to help with this problem is:
While oversize and baggy clothing may represent the latest fashion trend, try to avoid choosing any article that may become caught in a school bus handrail or door. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that drawstrings be no more than three inches in length at the waist. Parents should caution children about attaching key chains and other items to their backpacks as these too may become caught on the handrail or door.
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